Tales and Novels Volume VII Part 53

No one knew better than Lord Oldborough how to seem receiving whilst he conferred a favour; and if ever he appeared harsh, it was only where he knew that the people to whom he spoke had not feelings worthy of his consideration. His lords.h.i.+p was as much pleased by the manner in which this trust was accepted, as our young lawyer could be by the manner in which it was offered.

"My papers then shall be sent to you directly," said Lord Oldborough.

"Look over them, and if you are of opinion that my case is a bad one, I will stop where I am. If, on the contrary, you find that justice and law are on my side, proceed, persist. I shall trust the whole to you, sir, without a farther question."

Lord Oldborough next spoke of a steward of his at Clermont-park, who, as he had reason to suspect, was leagued with a certain Attorney Sharpe in fraudulent designs: his lords.h.i.+p hoped that Mr. Alfred Percy, during his vacations, when spent in that neighbourhood, might, consistently with his professional duties, find time to see into these affairs; and, in his lords.h.i.+p's absence, might supply the want of the master's eye.

Alfred a.s.sured his lords.h.i.+p that no effort or care should be wanting on his part to justify the high confidence with which he was honoured.

"Since you are going to take charge of my business, sir," pursued Lord Oldborough, "it is fit you should know my views relative to my affairs.

In my present situation, with the favour I enjoy, and the opportunities I command, it would be easy to make my fortune whatever I pleased.

Avarice is not my pa.s.sion. It is my pride not to increase the burdens of my country. Mine is a generous country, ever ready to reward her public servants, living or dying. But, whilst I live, never will I speculate upon her generosity, and, when I die, never shall my heirs appeal to her compa.s.sion. My power at its zenith, and my character being known, I can afford to lay aside much of that advent.i.tious splendour which adds nothing to true dignity. Economy and dignity are compatible--essential to each other. To preserve independence, and, consequently, integrity, economy is necessary in all stations. Therefore, sir, I determine--for I am not stringing sentences together that are to end in nothing--I determine, at this moment, to begin to make retrenchments in my expenditure. The establishment at Clermont-park, whither I have no thoughts of returning, may be reduced. I commit that, sir, to your discretion."

Mr. Temple returned with the papers, on which Lord Oldborough put his seal, and said his solicitor should deliver them, with all others that were necessary, the next morning to Mr. Percy. Alfred, careful never to intrude a moment on the time of the minister, rose, and, without repeating his thanks, made his bow.

"I consider this lawsuit as a fortunate circ.u.mstance," said Lord Oldborough, "since it affords me means at last of engaging Mr. Alfred Percy in my service, in a mode which cannot," added his lords.h.i.+p, smiling, "interfere with his family horror of ministerial patronage."

Alfred said something respectfully expressive of his sense of the professional advantage he must derive from being employed by Lord Oldborough--a species of patronage, by which he felt himself most highly honoured, and for which he was sure his whole family would feel properly grateful.

"Sir," said Lord Oldborough, following him to the door, "if I had ever doubted it, you would convince me that perfect propriety of manner is consistent with independence of mind. As to the rest, we all know the difference between a client and a patron."

The management of Lord Oldborough's business necessarily led to an increase of intercourse between his lords.h.i.+p and Alfred, which was peculiarly agreeable to our young barrister, not only as it gave him opportunities of seeing more of the character of this minister, but as it put it into his power to be of service occasionally to his friend Mr.

Temple. Chained to a desk, his genius confined to the forms of office, and with a master too high, and an a.s.sociate too low, to afford him any of the pleasures of society, he had languished for want of a companion.

Alfred encouraged him by example to submit to the drudgery of business, showed him that a man of letters may become a man of business, and that the habits of both may be rendered compatible. Temple now performed the duties of his office with all that regularity which is supposed to be peculiar to dulness. About this time he had been brought into parliament by Lord Oldborough, and in the intervals of business, in that leisure which order afforded him, he employed and concentrated his powers on a political question of considerable importance; and when he was completely master of the subject, he rose in the House of Commons, and made a speech, which from all parties obtained deserved applause. The speech was published. A few days afterwards, Mr. Temple happened to enter Lord Oldborough's cabinet earlier than usual: he found his lords.h.i.+p reading; and reading with so much attention, that he did not observe him--he heard his lords.h.i.+p's quick and decided pencil mark page after page. At length, rising and turning to throw the book on the table, Lord Oldborough saw his secretary copying a letter.

"An excellent speech--to the purpose, sir," said Lord Oldborough. "It had its effect on the house, I understand; and I thank your friend, Mr.

Alfred Percy, for putting it into my hands when I had leisure to peruse it with attention."

Lord Oldborough thought for some moments, then looked over some official papers which he had ordered Mr. Temple to draw up.

"Very well, sir--very well. A man of genius, I see, can become a man of business."

His lords.h.i.+p signed the papers, and, when that was finished, turned again to Mr. Temple.

"Sir, some time ago a place was vacant, which, I know, you had reason to expect. It was given to Mr. Shaw, because it was better suited to him than to you. The manner in which you took your disappointment showed a confidence in my justice. Have you any objection, Mr. Temple, to the diplomatic line?"

"I fear--or I should say, I hope--my lord, that I have not the habits of dissimulation, which, as I have always understood, are necessary to success in the diplomatic line."

"You have understood wrongly, sir," replied Lord Oldborough. "I, who have seen something of courts, and know something of diplomacy, am of opinion that a man of sense, who knows what he is about, who says the thing that is, who will tell at once what he can do, and what he cannot, would succeed better as a negotiator in the present state of Europe, than could any diplomatist with all the simulation and dissimulation of Chesterfield, or with the tact of Mazarin."

"Indeed, my lord!" said Mr. Temple, looking up with an air of surprise that almost expressed, Then why did you choose Cunningham Falconer for an envoy?

"Pray," said Lord Oldborough, taking a long inspiration with a pinch of snuff, "pray with that despatch this morning from Mr. Cunningham Falconer were there any private letters?"

"One for Commissioner Falconer, my lord."

"None from Count Altenberg to me?"

"None, my lord."

The minister took a walk up and down the room, and then returning to Mr.

Temple, said, "His majesty thinks proper, sir, to appoint you envoy in the place of Mr. Cunningham Falconer, who is recalled."

"I thank you, my lord--his majesty does me great honour," cried Mr.

Temple, with sudden grat.i.tude: then, his countenance and tone instantly changing from joy to sorrow, he added, "His majesty does me great honour, my lord, but--"

"But not great pleasure, it seems, sir," said Lord Oldborough. "I thought, Mr. Temple, you had trusted to me the advancement of your fortune."

"My fortune! My lord, I am struck with surprise and grat.i.tude by your lords.h.i.+p's goodness in taking thought for the advancement of my fortune.

But I have other feelings."

"And may I ask what is the nature of your other feelings, sir?"

"My lord--excuse me--I cannot tell them to you."

"One word more, sir. Do you hesitate, from any motives of delicacy with respect to the present envoy?"

"No, my lord, you look too high for my motive; and the higher I am sensible that I stand in your lords.h.i.+p's opinion, the greater is my fear of falling. I beg you will excuse me: the offer that your lords.h.i.+p has had the goodness to make would be the height of my ambition; but when opposing motives draw the will in contrary directions--"

"Sir, if you are going into the bottomless pit of metaphysics, excuse me," said Lord Oldborough--"there I must leave you. I protest, sir, you are past my comprehension."

"And past my own," cried Mr. Temple, "for," with effort he uttered the words, "unfortunately I have formed an--I have become attached to--"

"In short, sir, you are _in love_, I think," said Lord Oldborough, coolly. "I think I told you so, sir, more than a month ago."

"I have said it! and said it to Lord Oldborough!" exclaimed Mr. Temple, looking as one uncertain whether he were dreaming or awake.

"It is undoubtedly uncommon to select a minister of state for the confidant of a love affair," said Lord Oldborough, with an air of some repressed humour.

"I knew I should expose myself to your lords.h.i.+p's derision," exclaimed Mr. Temple.

He was too much engrossed by his own feelings, as he p.r.o.nounced these words, to observe in his lords.h.i.+p's countenance an extraordinary emotion. It was visible but for one instant.

With a look more placid, and a tone somewhat below his usual voice, Lord Oldborough said, "You have misjudged me much, Mr. Temple, if you have conceived that your feelings, that such feelings would be matter of derision to me. But since you have touched upon this subject, let me give you one hint--Ambition _wears_ better than Love."

Lord Oldborough sat down to write, and added, "For one fortnight I can spare you, Mr. Temple--Mr. Shaw will undertake your part of the business of office. At the end of the ensuing fortnight, I trust you will let me have your answer."

Full of grat.i.tude, Mr. Temple could express it only by a bow--and retired. The antechamber was now filling fast for the levee. One person after another stopped him; all had some pressing business, or some business which they thought of consequence, either to the nation or themselves.

"Mr. Temple, I must trouble you to look over these heads of a bill."

"Mr. Temple!--My memorial--just give me your advice."

"Sir--I wrote a letter, three weeks ago, to Lord Oldborough, on the herring-fishery, to which I have not had the honour of an answer."

"Mr. Temple--the address from Nottingham--Where's the reply?"

"Mr. Temple, may I know whether his lords.h.i.+p means to see us gentlemen from the city about the loan?"